BACOLOD City – Assorted firecrackers estimated to be worth P107,630 were confiscated from a vendor at the Reclamation Area in Barangay 12, one of the designated firecracker zones in this capital city.
While he did have a city special permit to sell the items, John Harley Vertudes did not possess a permit to transport and a proof of purchase from an authorized dealer.
Senior Police Officer 1 Joshua Barile, head of the Regional Civil Security Unit’s (RCSU) firearms and explosives section, said Vertudes violated Republic Act 7183, which regulates the “manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.”
Among the confiscated firecrackers were Sparkers, 5 Colors, Amber, Chinese Katay, Green Environmental, Honorable, Momus/Notus/Socrates, Green Sticks, Small Silver Fountain, Steel Beauty, Diamond Prosperity Fountain, Saturn Missile, The Big Ben, and Luces.
These items – which were now in the custody of the RCSU – were transported from Barangay Alijis, Barile said.
Vertudes was unloading them from a truck when police officers conducted an inspection at around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 26.
Despite this, Vertudes won’t face any charges, said Barile.
The police official reminded firecracker vendors to strictly follow the law while doing business days ahead of the New Year celebration./PN
